Essay name: Diksha (initiation) in Pancharatra
Author:
Shanta Srinivasan
Affiliation: University of Madras / Department of Sanskrit
This English essay studies Diksha in Pancharatra with reference to important texts. Diksha refers to initiation ceremonies into a particular esoteric tradition which is given, for example, by the teacher (Guru) to the student (Shishya). Pancharatra refers to an ancient school of Vaishnavism based on ancient Tantra-like texts called Agamas which were commonly written in Sanskrit verse.
Chapter 1 - Introduction
34 (of 57)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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1
.9 ON REALITY In the Pāñcarātra the supreme being is 'param brahman' as in the Vedānta system. It has the six qualities (sāḍguṇya) as its body and is depicted as described at the beginning of the Puruṣasūkta'. It is formless and has no limbs. It is called by the name Vasudeva, Bhagavān, Kṣetrajña, Parama, Viṣṇu, Nārāyaṇa, Viśva and Viśvarupa.² It is defectless, having nothing to support it and is ever existing. This Supreme Brahman is characterized by the experience of bliss, which is free from pain and is limitless. It has neither a beginning nor an end. It has non-material qualities. It is the imperishable syllable praṇava. The Padmasaṃhitā mentions the supreme reality as black in complexion and as possessing hands. The concept of ṣāḍgunya is an important concept in the Agama theology. This word means the aggregate of six qualities. The six qualities are: Jñana (knowledge), bala (strength), vīrya aiśvarya (sovereignty), LT. II 35a LT. II 56-6a +4 34
